Application of a novel PUB enhanced semi‐interpenetrating chitosan‐based anion exchange membrane

Abstract

Summary A novel OH− conducting membrane containing chitosan (CS), poly‐(acrylamide‐co‐diallyldimethylammonium chloride) (PAADDA) and linear structured poly‐bis (2‐chloroethyl) ether‐1,3‐bis [3‐(dimethylamino)propyl] urea copolymer (PUB) was synthesized via a solution‐casting method and subsequently modified by hot treatment and chemical cross‐linking. The structural characterizations of scanning electron microscope (SEM), atomic force microscope (AFM), Fourier transform infrared spectra (FT‐IR), and X‐ray photoelectron spectroscopy (XPS) were carried out, showing that CS, PAADDA, and PUB formed a compact interpenetrating polymer network structure without apparent phase separation phenomenon under the help of cross‐linking. By changing the content of PUB in the membrane, the application performance such as mechanical properties, thermal gravimetric (TG) analysis, water uptake (WU), OH− conductivity ( σOH−) and ion exchange capacity (IEC) were investigated to evaluate the feasibility for alkaline membrane fuel cells. The maximum OH− conductivity could be reached up to 3.12 × 10−2 S cm−1 at 80°C in a mass ratio of CS/PAADDA/PUB (1:0.5:0.5) while a good tensile strength of 22.73 MPa and an excellent elongation at break of 23.55% could be obtained in a mass ratio of CS/PAADDA/PUB (1:0.5:0.25). Furthermore, the membrane also exhibited relatively high oxidative stability as well as excellent alkaline resistance stability, when conditioned in 30% H2O2 solution at ambient temperature for 120 hours and 8 M KOH solution at 60°C for 320 hours, respectively. Membrane electrode assemblies (MEAs) achieved a peak power density of 38.1 mW cm−2 at the maximum current density of 73.2 mA cm−2 in a H2/O2 system at room temperature. PUB was successfully introduced into the CS‐based membrane to improve the conductivity. Maximum OH− conductivity reached 0.016 S cm−1 at room temperature. Tensile strength of the prepared membrane could reach up to 22.73 MPa. The prepared membrane exhibited an excellent elongation at break of 23.55%. The membrane showed good oxidative stability and excellent alkaline resistance stability.

Carbon nanocomposites self‐assembly UiO‐66‐doped chitosan proton exchange membrane with enhanced proton conductivity

“…The IEC values contribute to revealing the proton conductivity of the membrane to some extent . Here, the IECs of the CS/U‐S and CS/U‐S@GO membrane were increased as the fillers contents increased (Figure C).…”

“…The IEC values contribute to revealing the proton conductivity of the membrane to some extent. 39 Here, the IECs of the CS/U-S and CS/U-S@GO membrane were increased as the fillers contents increased ( Figure 6C). The IEC of the pristine CS membrane was 0.19 mmol g −1 ; the value increased to 0.61 mmol g −1 for the CS/U-S-7 membrane.…”

Synthesis and characterization of poly 2‐ N ‐acrylamido‐2‐methyl−1‐propane sulfonic acid functionalized graphene oxide embedded electrolyte membrane using DOE for PEMFC

“…In plane proton conductivity (S/cm) of the polymeric electrolytic membrane was measured by DC 4‐Probe conductivity Setup and calculated using following equation 39,40 : …”

A review of alkaline solid polymer membrane in the application of AEM electrolyzer: Materials and characterization

“…In addition, this is beneficial for facilitating water absorption by the vehicle mechanism during ionic diffusion within the matrix structure. Similarly, the presence of cation functional groups is a mechanism for transporting ions via the Grotthuss mechanism 89,90 . Hence, this condition will enhance the ion exchange capacity of the AEM component.…”